Hon Chairperson, in order to promote the optimal utilisation of primary health care facilities, the department has embarked on a process of re-engineering these services in order to make them the first point of contact, based on convenience, quality and accessibility, as well as the effectiveness thereof.
This intervention of re-engineering is outlined in the Green Paper for the National Health Insurance system and it involves three aspects, the first one being the attracting of specialist teams in each district nationally. These specialist teams involve paediatricians, obstetricians, gynaecologists, anaesthetists, family physicians, advanced midwives, and primary health care and nursing specialists, amongst others. Each district, regardless of whether it is rural or urban, will have these teams responsible for the health outcomes of the health system.
The second area of intervention is introducing and strengthening school health services.
The third area is establishing municipal, ward-based health teams nationally. There are just over 4 000 municipal wards in the country, and we believe that having home-based caregivers under the guidance of the local clinic will assist, not only in health care services, but also in preventing diseases and promoting health amongst our people.
To date, the department has audited over 2 000 health care facilities, including clinics, to ensure infrastructure needs are also met. I thank you.